I've carried a .22 magnum as well. The .380 is the .38 of the auto world. It's adequate, and with certain ammo, excellent. It's not a 9mm any more than a .38 is a .357. It works and has for many years. The pistols, among other things, have a certain "sex" appeal, for lack of a better term. They're the Miata of the gun world. Yeah other cars have more muscle and power, but for some, the form factor just does it. Someone who can drive a Miata will go around the track faster than a newbie with a ton of horsepower that uses that horsepower as a replacement for skill.